Loose-leaf binder.



0.0.SGHULTZB.

, LOOSELEAF BINDER.

APPLIOATIOH FILED AUG; 29, 1911).

Patented June 13,1911.

M919. Mme n 0,

, IM MM 1 OTTO C. SGHULTZE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 13, 1911.

Application filed August'29, 1910. Serial No. 579,587.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, O'r'ro C. SoHULTzn, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and

State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inLoose-Leaf Binders, of which the following is a specification. 7

My invention relates to improvements in loose-leaf binders of the hingedback type, the object of the invention being the provision of a simpleand easily controlled lock for binders of this character.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved lock for thepurpose mentioned which may be operated from either end of the binder soas to overcome the present difiiculty in looking and unlocking largebinders such as are used in railway oflices for holding tariffschedules, a further object being to provide a binder which shall be ofsimple construction, inexpensive to manufacture and efiicient inoperation.

WVith these objects in view my invention consists in the novelconstruction and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter fullydescribed and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawing forming a part of this specification, and in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improvedloose-leaf binder in itspreferred form, Figs. 2 and 3 are end elevations of the binder, theformer being enlarged and showing the action of the binder lock bydotted lines, and Fig. 4 is a transverse section.

The preferred form of my invention as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing comprises covers 1 flexibly connected to hinged backs 1 andprovided with the usual interlocking prongs 2, the latter being securedto, plates 2. The backs 1 are hinged together by means of hinges 3 andwhen the same are closed as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the prongs 2interlock for holding leaves (not shown) in position. Projecting fromone of the backs 1 is a pair of studs 4 having beveled ends as clearlyshown in Fig. 2, a notch 5 being provided in said back adjacent each ofsaid studs. Secured to the other back 1 is a pair of leaf springs 5having perforations 6 which are adapted to automatically engage thestuds 4 when the backs 1 are turned to closed position. In order torelease the engagement of the springs 5 with the studs 4 a longitudinalrod 7 is provided and journaled in one of the backs 1', said rod beingco-extensive with the length of the binder and provided at either endwith operating arms 7 Bent portions 8 are provided in the rods 7 and soarranged as to register with and disengage the springs 5 from the studs4 when either of the arms 7 are turned by the operator. The rod 7 isjournaled in suitable bearings 9 which are secured to one of the backs 1as shown in Fig. 4.

It is clear from the foregoing description that when the arms 7 areturned that the bent portionsSengaging the leaf springs 5 will raise thelatter and cause the disengagement of the studs 4, thus allowing thedevice to be opened for taking out leaves which have been held inposition by the interlocking prongs 2.

A loose-leaf binder of the construction set forth and especially of thelarge variety will be found to be easily operated and convenient in use.

While I have shown what I deem to be the preferable form of my improvedlooseleaf binder, I do not wish to be limited thereto as there might bevarious changes made in the details of construction and arrangement ofparts described without departing from the spirit of my invention, andhence I desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fairlyfall within the scope of the appended claims. 7

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination with substantiallyrectangular backs hinged together and having covers flexibly connectedthereto, of studs projecting from one of said backs, perforated leafsprings secured to the other of said backs, the perforations of saidsprings being adapted to automatically engage said studs for lockingsaid backs in closed position, and a longitudinal rod journaled in oneof said backs having bent portions therein registering with said springsand adapted to disengage the said springs from said studs when turned,and means for turning said rod, substantially as described.

2. A loose-leaf binder comprising a pair of rectangular backs hingedtogether, a pair of studs projecting from one of said backs, a pair ofleaf springs projecting from the other of said backs having perforationstherein for automatically engaging said studs when the backs are closed,a ournaled rod extending from one end of the binder to the other endhaving an uncontrolled arm at each end thereof and bent portions in saidrod registering with and adapted to disengage said springs from saidstuds when either of said arms are turned by the operator, substantiallyas described.

3. A loose-leaf binder comprising a pair of backs hinged together andhaving covers flexibly connected thereto, prongs provided in said coversand adapted to interlock when said backs are in closed position, a pairof studs projecting from one of said backs, a pair of leaf springsprojecting from the other of said backs and having perforations thereinadapted to engage said studs for locking the backs in closed position, arod co-extensive with the length of the binder journaled in one of saidbacks, an arm on each end of said rod, and bent portions in said rodadapted to disengage said springs from said studs when turned by meansof one of said arms, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two, subscribing Witnesses.

OTTO C. SCHULTZE. Witnesses:

FLORENCE E. LILLIs, JOSHUA R. H. Porrs.

'Gop ies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

